My Giant Schnauzer Adventure"

About Me

So Who Am I?

My name is Shirley Dawson. I’m retired and in my early 60’s. My husband, Mel, is still working while I get to enjoy retirement. I grew up in Arkansas in the same small city we live in now, White Hall. I worked for 33 years with the FDA in various capacities, mostly in the IT arena. But now, I enjoy surfing the internet, reading lots, photography and painting.

I grew up with lots of dogs and cats and love them. Especially dogs, can be wonderful companions and they are great when you are a little down. They love you without strings and are so loyal. I’ve had some success training previous dogs to site and come and fetch, but this will be my first great push for a true obedience trained pet. I’m definitely going to get some help from professional trainers and classes along the way.

I have several health issues at this stage of my life, not the least is degenerative discs in my lower back. This makes it pretty impossible for me to walk more than a few steps without tremendous pressure and then pain. So I do use a cane and a wheelchair. The cane when I only have a few steps to go and the wheelchair for anything more than that. That’s the reason I’m particularly interested in training Bo to be a service dog for me. I would love to have help fetching and carrying small items, opening and closing doors and turning lights on/off for me and whatever else I can teach him to do to help me.

I’m also a diabetic and would love to train Bo as a Diabetic Alert Dog also. But this one I’m not sure I will be able to do, we will see.

I’m definitely looking forward to this challenge and seeing how working with Boaz will turn out for me. In any case, I’m definitely going to give this a real try. Blessings.

-Shirley

Comments

Thanks for looking at my site and coming to this page. I would love for you to leave any questions or comments below.

– Shirley

14 thoughts on “About Me”

Hi Shirley, I too have degenerative disc disease, but am fortunate enough to still be on both feet. I do find it difficult to walk for any length of time and am currently on disability. And I too love dogs. I have 3 of my own right now, a mother and her 2 daughters. I don’t know what I would do without these noisy loves of mine. Your site is a joy to read and I look forward to reading more of your posts on your life and your dogs.
Margot

Hi Margot, thanks for your comment. Yes back pain is the pits and its awful to envy those who easily get up and cross the room without thinking, isn’t it? Boaz is a sweetie and will be great comfort to me and my husband when my daughter and her family leave for the mission field, taking my adorable grandson with them. There will still be a little one to cuddle, although he will get to weigh about 80 pounds as an adult. I’m having so much fun buying toys for his Christmas stocking. And yes, I’m taking it a little overboard I believe, but it is fun! Shirley

When I first got my beagle buddy, I was told that I was in for a lot of pain, sunifrefg, and agony as beagle’s are pretty much untrainable. How wrong they were!!! I took him to puppy school for 6wks but homeschooled him the rest of the time. My two year old Dexter can now sit, down, stay, roll-over, circle, shake, wave bye-bye, beg, dance, jump, wait patiently for me to give him the ok to eat the treat that’s two feet away from him, close drawers and cupboards, turn on and off lights (we actually won a contest because of that!), walk nicely, and stop/sit while cars go by. I love my beagle, and he has been such fun!!

Alessandra, I know that training Bo is not going to be easy, but with the help of a professional trainer I’m hoping that he will do well. He can already sit, stand, down, leaveit and we are working on stay and his walking on leash at heel. Thanks for your encouraging comment. Shirley

I love every dog, but my favorite are the hsmleeos ones. Would you consider adopting from a shelter? There are always wonderful, sweet dogs to bring home. I worked as a volunteer at a shelter for a while some time ago, and all those lonely dogs broke my heart. My mom’s dog comes from there and she is beautiful, funny and super loving. Sometimes even a little too much!

Akitas are very Akitas are very strong butuafeil animals. My Akita does not like most strangers or other animals. He is well trained (see my vids)> I got him for protection (I live in Dallas, a high crime rate city). DO NOT get an Akita if you are weak physically and especially mentaly. Akitas need a Leader. If you dont lead, they will. This breed is not for all. Get a Golden Retiever if you want a dog that melts all over everyone

Joanna, I’ve read about Akitas and they are powerful dogs. Boaz, as a Giant Schnazher weights 70-75 pounds at seven months and will probably be between 90-100 pounds as an adult. I don’t believe I could handle a dog any bigger than he will be; I already have trouble holding him back at this point even. So I know he is going to need to be very well trained for me to enjoy him as an adult. He is already tall enough to “cruise my table and countertops – I have to put lots of things out of his reach or they will be used as chew toys). Our dog trainer is teaching both my husband and myself to be able to control Bo and become Alphas to him so he will obey us. She is showing us how to train him using positive encouragement and treats for correct behavior. I’m really working on him being gentle with people and especially with children. He will certainly be large enough when grown to intimidate people from coming around our house. His big dog bark does that already and I know just seeing his size and his barking and growling will keep unwanted ones from approaching me or my door. Shirley

Hi Shirley, I’ve so enjoyed your site. It’s evident from your posts how the bond between you and Boaz has grown. How lovely! It never ceases to amaze me how quickly our companions become our family! My 3 babies are surrounding me for nap-time as we speak! Oh, I’ll definitely be trying some of the recipes you shared too.

Anita, thanks for checking out my blogsite and your comment. Yes, our furbabies do become so close to us. They are kinda like our children in a way. Boaz is like a child who never completely grows up. He follows us everywhere. You have a blessed day. -Shirley

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